Lamentations 3:1-33 ▼

1 I AM the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath.

2 He hath led me and caused me to walk in darkness and not in light.

3 Surely against me he turneth his hand again and again all the day.

4 My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones.

5 He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail.

6 He hath made me to dwell in dark places, as those that have been long dead.

7 He hath fenced me about, that I cannot go forth; he hath made my chain heavy.

8 Yea, when I cry and call for help, he shutteth out my prayer.

9 He hath fenced up my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked.

10 He is unto me as a bear lying in wait, as a lion in secret places.

11 He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces; he hath made me desolate.

12 He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.

13 He hath caused the shafts of his quiver to enter into my reins.

14 I am become a derision to all my people; and their song all the day.

15 He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath sated me with wormwood.

16 He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes.

17 And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace; I forgat prosperity.

18 And I said, My strength is perished, and mine expectation from the LORD.

19 Remember mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.

20 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is bowed down within me.

21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.

22 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

23 They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.

24 The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

26 It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.

28 Let him sit alone and keep silence, because he hath laid it upon him.

29 Let him put his mouth in the dust; if so be there may he hope.

30 Let him give his cheek to him that smiteth him; let him be filled full with reproach.

31 For the Lord will not cast off for ever.

32 For though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.

33 For he doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.